The following information is from "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" Second edition.
James F. Balch, M.D. Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C
Avery Publishing Group, Garden City Park, New York.

You can purchase this book from your local Health Food Store or from the Publishers it is an excellent source of information on Health issues and treatment alternatives.

Disclaimer:
Please see your doctor if you or your child has a health problem, or if you think there may be a health problem. You can print out these notes and give them to the doctor and refer to those symptoms that effect your child.

DSRF Notes have been added for parents using TNI. Nutritional recommendations by the authors have not been provided because TNI contains most of the specified vitamins and minerals at max safe levels.

Obtain the book if you need more information.

Most of the Websites about Lactose Intolerance are either American or Australian based and although the information is excellent it can sometimes be of little use to people in the United Kingdom and Europe. We also need to find information about non-dairy products available in the UK and Europe. Where to purchase them and most important of all, make our doctor's and those in the medical profession understand that many complaints could be food allergy related, rather than putting these problems down to behaviour and how our children are brought up. Click here to link to the UK's only website on Lactose Intolerance

Many parents have resorted to a gluton free and casein free diet to overcome food alleregy and food intolerance problems. To read more click here for the Gluton Free and Casein Free Diet information.

Lactose Intolerance
(Lactase Deficiency)

DSRF Note:
Many parents report milk intolerance in DS

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest milk sugar. It is caused by a lack or deficiency of lactase, an enzyme manufactured in the small intestine that splits lactose into glucose and galactose. When a person with lactose intolerance consumes milk or other dairy products, some or all of the lactose they contain remains undigested, retains fluid, and ferments in the colon, resulting in diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually begin between thirty minutes and two hours after consumption of dairy foods.

The degree of lactose intolerance varies in individuals. For most of the world's adults, lactose intolerance is actually a normal condition. only Caucasians of northern European origin generally retain the ability to digest lactose after childhood. Lactose deficiency can also occur as a result of a gastrointestinal disorder that damages the digestive tract, such as celiac** disease, irritable bowel.) syndrome, regional enteritis, or ulcerative colitis. It can also develop on its own. There is no known way to prevent it.

**DSRF Note:
There is a higher incidence of Celiac disease in Down’s syndrome.

Although far less common, lactose intolerance can occur in children as well as adults. In infants, lactose intolerance can occur after a severe bout of gastroenteritis, which damages the intestinal lining. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in an infant can include foamy diarrhea with diaper rash, slow weight gain and development, and vomiting.

Lactose intolerance can cause discomfort and digestive disruption, but it is not a serious threat to health and it can easily be managed through dietary modification.

NUTRIENTS (Vitamins etc are not shown: please refer to the above book for more information.)

Suggested treatment by authors

Charcoal tablets:

• Absorbs toxins and relieves diarrhea.
  Dosage: For an acute attack, take 4 tablets every hour with water until symptoms subside.
  Take separately from other medications and supplements.

Acidophilus:

• Replaces lost "friendly" bacteria and promotes healthy digestion. Use a nondairy formula only.
  Dosage: 1 tsp in distilled water twice daily, on an empty stomach.

(Dietary) RECOMMENDATIONS

Avoid milk and all dairy products except yogurt. This is the most important dietary measure for anyone who is intolerant to lactose. Use soymilk or Rice Dream (Rice Milk) in place of milk and soy cheese instead of dairy cheese. Especially avoid consuming lactose-containing foods on an empty stomach.

Include yogurt in your diet. Yogurt is the one dairy product that can be good for a person with lactose intolerance. The cultures present in yogurt digest the lactose it contains, so it is no longer a problem. They also aid in overall digestion. Be sure to eat only yogurt that contains active live yogurt cultures. Homemade yogurt is best.

Be sure to eat plenty of foods that are high in calcium. Good choices include apricots, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, calcium-fortified orange juice, dried figs, rhubarb, spinach, tofu, and yogurt. Calcium supplements may be beneficial.

Check with your pharmacist before taking any medications. Many pills are formulated using lactose as a filler.

During an acute attack, do not eat any solid food, but do drink plenty of quality water and replace lost minerals. See DIARRHEA in Part Two for dietary suggestions.

Read food product labels carefully, and avoid any that contain lactose or "milk solids." Lactose is added to many different types of processed food, including breads, canned and powdered soups, cookies, pancake mixes, powdered drink mixes such as flavored coffees, and processed meats.

If you are pregnant and have a family history of lactose intolerance, give serious consideration to breast feeding your baby. If that is not possible, choose a nondairy baby formula, such as a soy-based product.

CONSIDERATIONS

Lactose intolerance is not the same as milk allergy. Lactose intolerance specifically refers to a syndrome caused by the failure to digest milk sugar; a person with a milk allergy may be able to digest milk normally, but his or her immune system then has an allergic response to one or more of the milk's components.

(See ALLERGlES page 110 in Part 2 of the above book)

Hard, aged cheeses, such as Parmesan cheese, are relatively low in lactose, and may be easier to tolerate than other dairy products.

Ice cream is particularly difficult for a person with lactose intolerance to digest. Not only is ice cream made from milk, but many brands add extra lactose to achieve the desired texture, and the cold temperature can be shocking to the digestive system as well.

Lact Aid, available in most pharmacies, is a commercial formula that provides the enzyme lactase. It can be taken before consuming dairy products to avoid discomfort.

For more information on lactose intoterance, Click here to link to the UK's only website on Lactose Intolerance

The symptoms of lactose intolerance are similar to those of Celiac Disease, and the two disorders may occur together.

CELIAC DISEASE now follows >>